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Daniel Walker, of Springfield, faces a new crop of felonies in the incident, which has sparked outrage from Springfield leaders demanding judges keep alleged repeat offenders behind bars until their trials for the public's safety.
The incident began just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, when officers spotted a Hyundai reported stolen earlier that day and pulled it over on Broad Street, Springfield police said.
But shortly after the stop, Walker, who was behind the wheel, threw the car into reverse and slammed into the occupied patrol car behind him, officials said. He shifted into drive and gunned it again, this time running over an officer's foot before they could get out of the way, Springfield police said.
Walker narrowly missed pedestrians, bicyclists, children, and vehicles as he tried to get away from chasing police. But his escape ended when he crashed into a patrol car at the Morris and Central Streets intersection, authorities said.
Walker had two 14-year-old children in the car when he crashed, Springfield police said. Officers in the second totaled police vehicle had to rescue one of them from the burning wreckage and give her first aid.
Police arrested her and a 14-year-old boy as he tried to run away after the T-bone crash. Their names and charges were not released because of their ages.
Walker ran from the wreck, but officers tackled him near Dale Street. Police found items used to specifically steal Kias and Hyundais inside the burning car.
Paramedics took the three suspects and three officers to Baystate Medical Center for treatment after the crash. They were all treated and released Tuesday night.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood called Walker "inherently dangerous" and asked that he be held in prison until his trial because she feared for the public's safety with him on the streets.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was less tempered with his comments in a news release.
Here we go again! This individual had no regard for anyone’s safety and could have easily killed one of our officers or an innocent citizen, and once again, another repeat violent offender out on bail for firearms and a variety of other charges. If the courts do not keep this individual locked up now, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed. The suspect has little to no regard for anyone’s safety, including the safety of his juvenile passengers
Walker is charged with:
- Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (Three Counts)
- Failure to stop for police
- Assault with a dangerous weapon
- Leaving the scene of a property damage crash (Two Counts)
- Possession of burglarious tools
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
- Leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury (Three Counts)
- Failure to stop at a stop sign
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- Receiving a stolen motor vehicle
Police arrested Walker in August 2022 on a firearms charge. He was arrested in May for an alleged hit and run and again in June in connection with a stolen Hyundai, Springfield police said.
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